Nissan in no hurry on hybrid technology

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Nissan won't use hybrids to reduce CO2
Focus on lighter, more-efficient engines instead
Won't compromise styling for green issues

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Nissan has set itself a target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 70% by 2050, but will not produce hybrid or electric cars in the short term.

Instead, Nissan is striving to make improvements through technology advancements instead.

The company's general manager of product planning and strategy, Chris Lee, revealed that the immediate emphasis was on improving engine efficiency, reducing friction and examining new technology, rather than rushing out 'green-powered' cars.

Among Nissan's initiatives are an engine capable of travelling 100km on three litres of fuel (equivalent to 94mpg), which it says will be ready by 2010, and developing CVT gearbox technology, which it says is already 10% more efficient than a standard automatic gearbox.

However, although the company is exploring hybrid, biofuel and electric power, Lee said the economics of developing such cars meant they are not on the agenda for the Japanese car maker at the moment.

'Electric or hybrid cars are not returning the investment costs yet, so it is not a route to pursue for us,' said Lee.

Content over style
Vice-president of design Nissan Europe, Alfonso Albaisa, also underlined the challenge of styling as green issues come to dominate the car-buying agenda.

While happy to note the striking features of hybrids such as Toyota's Prius, he said Nissan was unlikely to follow their quirky look.

'Nissan is a company that thinks with its head rather than its heart, so engineering will always come first - do not expect that to change. Nor will our expression of green concepts ever dominate the car.'

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